4014 Schedule Article for 2019, Trains Magazine

[Millhouse]

http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2019/01/23-mid-february-for-ups-big-boy-4014-schedule-this-spring

The article's a little vague, but the biggest draw I'm getting from this is that 4014 will tour the UP system after Ogden.

I'm more curious when and where the break-in and test runs will start.

[John Bohon]

Considering the way steam work goes the runs to the golden spike may be the break in runs. The last I saw they had a long way to go. Getting the wheels under the engine is just the start of reassembly. Has the boiler been hot yet?

John Bohon

[Millhouse]

John - Unknown on the boiler question. There has been no visible evidence coming out of Cheyenne. Last images I saw were of the boiler being re-attached to the front engine set, which was completed. Rear drivers were still not yet installed.

Part of me still wonders this... some time back a person in another thread (I don't remember who) guestimated that UP may be towing the 4014 to Ogden as just a display piece because it might not be finished yet. I didn't think it possible at the time. Now I'm not so certain.

Guess we'll see - won't be a long wait.

[Mark D]

Not having the experience John has, I might be wrong. But from the experience I do have it seems that toward the end things start to go faster until all that's left is a bit of jewelry to stick on. I would think that's because toward the end all the machining and fabricating work is pretty much done. Stuff that wouldn't fit has been made to fit, etc.
So don't be surprised when all of a sudden you find the engine is out on trial runs. Even if it's to the non-existent golden spike.

Mark D.

[Junk_Man999]

Here's an article saying that 4014 is nearing completion.
Steam Update: Big Boy’s Restoration Nearly Complete

Accompanying Official UP Video

[Millhouse]

UP just dropped this news today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Plt6UgVo9x4



Full Article: https://www.up.com/aboutup/community/inside_track/steam-update-1-29-2019.htm?fbclid=IwAR3zdPDjBbWrXIdsZIhh4i2qct_sZSFQg6K6tnoM7rexDdltUzvH0GTJNvI

[Mark D]

Looks like things are coming along in the U.P. 'Skunk Works'. Good for them! I'll never see it for real in operation, but I'm looking forward to see it operating in video.
Mark D.

[Robert T]

Mark,

You might be able to see it if it comes to St. Paul, like the the Challenger did.

I myself chased the Challenger from Owatanna to Northfield and rode it from St Paul to Des Moines. I also saw it when it was on display in St. Paul and then chased it from Shakopee to Mankato. You wouldn't believe the large crowd of people that came to see it, especially in the last two locations.

Here is the video I took of it from Shakopee to Mankato.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHRwhQWGd8o

[Millhouse]

The Union Pacific Steam Club Facebook page (an officially run page by UP), did a short video by Ed Dickens, announcing that the first hydrostatic tests of the boiler are underway. Whether it's ready for Ogden or not, the speed at which this has been done is nothing short of amazing.